Thai Pilots Urge Reversal on Foreign Pilot Policy
The Thai Pilots Association is urging Thailand’s government to reconsider its recent decision to permit foreign pilots to operate wet-leased, foreign-registered aircraft on domestic routes. This controversial decision, approved in a cabinet meeting on December 3, is aimed at addressing what the government describes as a pilot shortage amid escalating passenger demand.
Teerawat Angkasakulkiat, president of the Thai Pilots Association, contests the government’s claim of a pilot shortage. He pointed out that Thailand had 3,024 commercial pilots registered in 2023, including 1,219 recent pilot school graduates who are licensed but unemployed. Teerawat’s assertion challenges the necessity of the government’s move, which he fears could undermine the employment prospects of local pilots.
Currently, Bangkok Airways is the sole major Thai carrier utilizing wet-leased aircraft, comprising an A319-100 and A320-200 operated by Amelia. However, these aircraft are exclusively deployed on international sectors, not domestic routes, as per ch-aviation schedules data. Despite this, local carriers are advocating for domestic wet leases under Section 33/1 of the Thailand Air Navigation Act, which acknowledges the certificates of leased foreign aircraft and crews as equivalent to Thai licences.
Teerawat has raised concerns regarding some aspects of this legislation, noting they do not meet the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program. This discrepancy could potentially compromise the country’s adherence to international safety standards and impact its aviation safety rating.
Amidst these developments, Apirak Homlaor, CEO of Thai SmartLynx Airlines, emphasized the positive role the new carrier aims to play in the aviation industry. Set to begin operations early next year as the country’s first ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider, Thai SmartLynx plans to enhance career opportunities for Thai pilots and ensure regulatory standards align with global norms. Apirak stated, “Thai SmartLynx not only tackles the pressing challenge of aircraft shortages but also supports the professional growth of local pilots by ensuring more aircraft are available for operations.”
A Ministry of Transport spokesperson noted that while the preference remains for utilizing local pilots, the alleged shortage has exerted upward pressure on airfares. Allowing wet-leased aircraft for domestic flights is viewed as a temporary measure to alleviate this issue. The ministry has committed to continuous monitoring of the situation to balance operational needs with regulatory compliance and safety standards.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com